Sony Responds To Possibility Of Buying More First-Party Studios

In a recent interview with Reuters, Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan revealed that Sony is open to acquiring more first-party studios as we move into the new console generation.

When asked if SIE would be open to acquiring more first-party studios, CEO Jim Ryan gave us a pretty hopeful answer, which could keep the competition strong in the new generation. Ryan stated that new studio acquisitions “might be possible” though any purchase would have to happen organically.

PS5 UI image
Credit: Sony

Over the last year or two, Microsoft has made big moves acquiring first-party studios which includes the likes of Double Fine Productions, Ninja Theory, Obsidian Entertainment, and more recently, ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Bethesda.

Acquiring Bethesda is arguably the big one, because it essentially means that franchises such as The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, DOOM, Wolfenstein, The Evil Within, GhostWire: Tokyo and more become first-party titles to the Microsoft and Xbox brand.

Image of Bethesda Microsoft Acquisition
Credit: Microsoft

Don’t get me wrong, the acquisition of Marvel’s Spider-Man and Ratchet & Clank developer Insomniac Games in 2019 was a big move, but in comparison to Microsoft, Sony Interactive Entertainment perhaps haven’t been quite as ruthless in recent years.

Jim Ryan’s words don’t come across as all that ruthless, in fact they’re quite the opposite.  But I suppose Sony Interactive Entertainment is seemingly open to acquiring new studios should the opportunities arise. 

PS5 dualsense
Credit: Sony

I guess it all depends on how it goes with the competition in the new generation, or perhaps Sony is resting on its laurels?  Only time will tell.

The PlayStation 5 will release next month in North America and Australia on November 10th and the 19th for the rest of the world.  The Xbox Series X|S releases worldwide on November 10th.

YouTube video

What do you think about CEO Jim Ryan’s response to Sony acquiring new first-party studios?  React accordingly via our Emoji’s below.

Like our cover image? Check out more PS5 fan art from Twitter’s OBlackThunder!

Want to see more from GameByte?

Featured Image Credit: Twitter/OBlackThunder